Some of cricket’s biggest names, including Ravi Shastri and Michael Vaughan, recently put their football hats on to pick a hypothetical Indian cricket XI for the football pitch, leading to some hilarious and unexpected choices.
Picking the Dream Lineup
The fun discussion unfolded on the “Stick to Cricket” podcast, featuring cricket pundits like Ravi Shastri, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tuffnell, Alastair Cook, and David Lloyd. Their challenge was to select the best Indian cricketers for a football team, based on their perceived attributes and personalities.
The Goalkeeper and Defensive Wall
Starting with the crucial goalkeeper role, Michael Vaughan had a clear pick: Jasprit Bumrah. Vaughan explained that while Rishabh Pant might be a good fielder in cricket, he’s “too small” for a football goalie, emphasizing the need for long arms. Hence, Bumrah got the nod for his height and reach.
Rishabh Pant, despite being overlooked for goalkeeper, found a spot as the left-back. Vaughan humorously compared him to football’s Luke Shaw, calling him “cocky.” For the right-back position, Ravi Shastri named Nitish Kumar Reddy, praising his suitability for the role despite his recent knee injury.
In the heart of the defense, Mohammed Siraj was chosen as one of the two centre-halves, solidifying the backline with his robust presence.
Midfield Maestros and Wing Wizards
The midfield saw some strategic selections. KL Rahul was a unanimous choice for the holding midfielder role. Vaughan likened him to Michael Carrick, appreciating his tactical awareness and ability to see the game early, calling him “technical and tactician.”
On the wings, Ravindra Jadeja was seen happily slotting in as the left-winger in a classic 4-4-2 formation. David Lloyd offered a surprising, yet amusing, pick for the right midfielder: Gautam Gambhir. Lloyd dramatically mimicked Beckham’s famous curling kicks, suggesting Gambhir would be the Indian equivalent.
The most unexpected, and perhaps comical, choice for left midfield was Morne Morkel, India’s bowling coach. Lloyd declared him “the worst footballer I’ve ever seen,” which drew laughs from the panel, despite Morkel’s impressive cricketing record against England.
Lethal Forwards Upfront
The attacking roles were reserved for India’s exciting young talents. Yashasvi Jaiswal was earmarked as the No. 10, the creative attacking midfielder. Vaughan playfully described him as “a little annoying but guaranteed like Messi,” highlighting his flair and match-winning potential.
Completing the forward line, Shubman Gill was envisioned as a versatile striker. David Lloyd saw him as an “overlap between a wiry centre forward and solidity of defender Matthijs de Ligt,” suggesting a mix of agility and defensive strength in his play.
Cricketers’ Love for the Beautiful Game
This light-hearted exercise also shed light on the Indian team’s deep interest in Premiership football. Ravi Shastri specifically mentioned that Kuldeep Yadav is a big “football buff,” underscoring the squad’s passion for the sport beyond cricket.
- Jasprit Bumrah was picked as goalkeeper due to his height, while Rishabh Pant was assigned left-back.
- KL Rahul was likened to Michael Carrick for his tactical mind in a holding midfield role.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal earned a comparison to Lionel Messi for his attacking brilliance.
- Gautam Gambhir was humorously pegged as the Indian “David Beckham” for his potential curling kicks.
It’s clear that even when cricket is their world, the Indian team and former players enjoy a good fantasy football draft, blending skill with a touch of humor.
